Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm inspires audiences to create a better world. Held every Memorial Day weekend (May 22–26, 2025), the festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit. We accept and screen feature and short films on a broad range of subjects. We are always interested in work that focuses on mountains (both symbolic and physical), mountain culture, and mountaineering, but we also showcase films about people who are dedicated to changing the world.

OUR MISSION
Mountainfilm uses the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

OUR VISION
Mountainfilm is a dynamic organization and festival of films, people, stories, and ideas that celebrates indomitable spirit, educates and inspires audiences, and motivates individuals and communities to advance solutions for a livable world.

OUR VALUES
Embracing adventure
Preserving environments
Connecting cultures
Building community
Inspiring activism
Fostering storytellers
Promoting integrity
Gathering visionaries
Celebrating courage
Enlightening audiences

Mountainfilm promotes and encourages diversity behind the camera.

If you have questions about the submission process, be sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions and detailed Submission Guidelines on the Mountainfilm website.

Awards & Prizes

Best Documentary Feature: $5,000
James Balog Creative Vision Award: $5,000
Audience Choice Award- Feature: $5,000
Audience Choice Award- Short: $1,000
Women in Film Award: $3,500
Moving Mountains Award (supports a film and associated nonprofit featured in a film): $1,500 to the filmmaker(s) + $1,000 to the nonprofit
Charlie Fowler Best Adventure Film: $2,500
Student Choice Award (awarded by a jury of regional students): $2,000
Best Documentary Short: $1,000

Rules & Terms

Eligibility Requirements:

• Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival. If your film is not a documentary, please do not submit.
• Feature documentaries are 40 minutes and longer. Shorts are under 40 minutes, including credits.
• Film entries may be of any length, from any country and on any subject in keeping with our mission. Films should either be in English or include English subtitles.
• At this time, we do not accept VR projects.
• With few exceptions, Mountainfilm requires that films have not screened or been broadcast in Colorado prior to the festival. We take other previous screenings, broadcast and online availability into consideration when making official selections.
• For the 2025 festival, we are seeking films making their premieres after May 2024.
• We will consider films that have had an online presence, though our preference is to highlight work that has not already reached a large audience.

Submission Guidelines: PLEASE READ!

• Only COMPLETE applications will be considered. This includes full contact information, listing of all directors and producers, film synopsis and specs, hi-res production stills, a trailer (features only), a Vimeo screener link and director headshot and bio.
• Please submit the most recent/updated version of your film. We do not accept rough cuts.
• We prefer Vimeo links over FilmFreeway's video uploads as it helps us in our screener process.
• Your screener link must remain active until June 15, 2025.
• Entry fees are non-refundable.
• If you are from an LMIC, a BIPOC filmmaker or a student, please contact us for a possible submission fee discount waiver.

Due to the number of submissions received, we unfortunately cannot provide feedback on entries.
33 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paige Swift

    To be selected was an honor alone, then attending Mountainfilm 2024 as a filmmaker was one of the best film festival experiences EVER. After 7+ organizing my own doc festival and observing other leading ‘documentary genre’ festivals, I must say Mountainfilm is the best of both worlds.

    As a filmmaker, the hospitality and networking are outstanding. The staff were approachable and communicative. The swag bag alone was phenomenal, and filmmaker parties, meet-ups, and other opportunities were great. The atmosphere is super laid back and welcoming, and the Mountainfilm vibe encapsulates the whole town.

    As a festival organizer, Mountainfilm is glowing example of how a festival should be run. The exceptional programming and detailed schedule, the outstanding roster of filmmakers/special guests, the extensive variety of venues, the main street activatioin… it was incredible. Navigating the event’s programming- both online and in person- was easy.

    Whether you are attending as a filmmaker, a film festival organizer or host, or just there to be blown away by the top-notch films & related programming, I’d say Mountainfilm pretty much has it all, and their team knows how to deliver.

    October 2024
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  • Kenji Tsukamoto

    HANDS DOWN THE BEST FESTIVAL EVER. I feel very lucky to have been able to screen my first documentary feature at this festival. The hospitality we received from the organizers were above and beyond. We (crew & participants) felt very welcome.
    With the town itself being so small, I had the chance to run into folks I've admired for a decade multiple times. Truly an experience I'll never forget.

    August 2024
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  • Andrea Kalin

    Our world premiere at Mountainfilm was transformative, launching our festival journey with a heartwarming start. As filmmakers we felt deeply valued, and our film’s participants also felt the community's warmth and inclusiveness, the town just oozes hospitality. I cannot praise the festival team enough for their openness, flexibility and organization. Our screenings were sold-out, and we enjoyed the lively discussions and panels. Who knew our 8:00 AM coffee chat would pack the house? Between the well-coordinated events, legendary parties, and charming screening venues, the festival was perfectly choreographed. It was my first time attending, but it's clear why both filmmakers and audiences return year after year. The festival's magnetic pull is undeniable. Mountainfilm is not just any film festival; it's a full-blown celebration of cinema set against a strikingly beautiful backdrop—an unmissable event. Saying we were honored to be a part of it doesn't even begin to cover it.

    June 2024
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  • Erin Kokdil

    Screening our short doc at Mountainfilm was a dream. Great staff and volunteers, a stunning setting, engaged audiences, and wonderful programming. I can't wait to go back!

    June 2024
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  • Jeremy Grant

    Mountainfilm is the gold standard for outdoor story telling!

    June 2024
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